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Reply to "More Great Teaching Ideas, Resources, and Lessons for Lent"

Lent in a Bag

lent-bagThis resource from Stout UMC can be used as a series of children's sermon, during "gathering time" with kids, or as a Sunday School lesson.

The "Lent in a Bag" is a special bag you pull visual props out of each week that represent various ideas and Bible stories traditionally taught during Lent. You talk about each item's connection to that day's story/point. See the script for each item from Stout Memorial UMC in Parkersburg WV at https://www.stoutmemorial.org/...-bag-devotional.html

MODIFICATIONS:

See my list of "alternative" props below along with items I would give each child every week.

1. I would suggest letting the children put their hand in the bag and feel the items (without saying out loud what it is) to create a sense of anticipation and some tactile connection to the props.

2. I would have given each child their own "Lenten Bag" so that I could GIVE each child a copy of the item I pulled from my bag to put in their own. I'd make sure each child would receive their "Lent Bag" when they come for the first time so that none feel left out. Logistically this might be hard since the same kids aren't there every week and won't remember to bring their bags, but I could give them the props to hand-off to a parent sitting in the pew so that it went home. Those who hadn't been there to receive their bag the first time could pick up a Lent Bag as they left the presentation.

Excerpt:

Lent in a Bag equips you with symbols of the season of Lent to help you have prayer and/or conversation at home. Each week we will give you a devotion that focuses on one of the symbols in the bag. Questions are intended to start the conversation. Use whatever version of the bible passages you like. Use these props and devotions during your weekly Lenten meditation as you journey with Jesus to the cross.

A List of the items you will use during your reflection:

Week 1 - Sand
Week 2 - Rock
Week 3 - Shell
Week 4 - Human Figure
Week 5 - Seeds / Butterfly  (This part of their script is missing on their site)
Week 6 - Candle
Holy Week & Easter - Cross

Possible alternative props suggested by Neil:

Week 1 - Sand --After they discover the sand in the bag and you've poured it out as you talk about it (see the script), give each of them a "sand bracelet" or pendant (super cheap at Oriental Trading) and a small bag of sand exactly like the sand you had in your bag. Show them (and their parents) how to pour the sand into the bracelet using a paper funnel when they get home).

Week 2 - Rock  --After letting them discover the rock in the bag and talking about it, give each of them a rock onto which you've glued or painted "googly eyes" to remind them that they are like the rock you described in your comments and Jesus can heal you too!


Week 3 - Shell -- Instead, after feeling the water bottle in the bag and talking about "water for baptism and for the journey," GIVE each child a church-logo'd water bottle they can take home.

Week 4 - Human Figure  -- After having them touch the figure and explaining its connection to the point (see their website), GIVE each child a "WWJD" wristband (because it connects with the point made in the script).

Week 5 - Seeds / Butterfly   --since this part was missing on their website at the time of this posting, why not come up with your own bag of sunflower seeds, the kind that grow early, fast, and tall !  ...and distribute these.


Week 6 - Candle --  Jesus light of the world. Instead of a candle, put a flashlight in your bag. Then you can give each child a mini-flashlight (they're super-cheap at Oriental Trading).


Holy Week & Easter - Cross      I'd use this week to invite the kids to "bring their Lenten Bag" and do a review of all the things they received and what they meant. I'd also make sure every child received the items we passed out each week. I might have jellybeans to share into their bags and say a few words about why we eat jellybeans for Easter.

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